Feature: Life after football, a tough game in Uganda

Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-20 22:14:41|Editor: Xiang Bo

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KAMPALA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Top sports personalities live a celebrity life at the peak of their careers. It is all good until their careers come to an end, especially for those who did not plan for their retirement. Such is life for many former football stars in Uganda.

Gibby Kasule, a former national football player, who also played in South Africa and Vietnam, told Xinhua in a recent interview that there are things he wishes he could have done when he was still a star.

"There are things that I did not foresee because I was still active. Many of them I cannot do now," said Kasule, who is now a player agent.

"We always need to keep planning. The life of an active footballer is very interesting and many of us don't think about planning ahead or what we are going to do," he noted.

Dennis Onyango, national team captain and also 2016 African Domestic Player of the Year, told Xinhua that life can be hard if one does not make plans for after football.

"We don't have to take chances because with football you can get injured and it's the end of the job. We should, therefore, plan so well for life after football because many players might be feeling too comfortable," said Onyango, who plays for South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.

"It is not just about buying fancy cars. They will not look after you when you retire. Players need to start investing and even building houses," he added.

Onyango said the Ugandan Football Federation and club administrators need to teach their players financial management, so that they can invest when they are still at the peak of their careers.

He said he is lucky to have received training from some of the clubs he has played for in South Africa.

The goalkeeper said players must know how to manage their bank balances, otherwise they may face trouble in future.

Sam Ssimbwa, a former Uganda Cranes player and now coach at Uganda Revenue Authority Football Club, told Xinhua that he planned well during his playing days.

"I managed to invest and build several houses because I knew that I would not play football forever," said Ssimbwa.

He encouraged the current generation of footballers to keep focused and learn how to invest, instead of thinking only about enjoying life.